Continuous mining machine



Jan. 22, 1963 s. c. MooN CONTINUOUS MINING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet l.

Filed June 13, 1957 or @u mw INVENToR;

Jan. 22, 1963 s. c. MooN CONTINUOUS MINING l, MH'INE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 13, 1957 mruwruom INVENTOR;y

C. MOON,

Jan. 22, 1963 s. c. MooN coNIINuous MINING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 13, 1957 l@ l\ r Ln 7 INVENTOR;

STERLING C. MOON, BY

/vT-r 'Y Jan. 22, 1963 Filed June 13', 1957 S. C. MOON coN'rINUoUs MINING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENToR;

TERUNG C. Moon "Y MMT,

Jan. 22, 1963 s. c. MOON CONTINUOUS MINING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 mf WT bf Filed June 13, 1957 INVENTOR; STERUNG C. MOON) BY Jan. 22, 1963 s. c. Mooij l coN-rINUoUs MINING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Fle'd June 13, 1957 INVENToR; STERMNG (lh/loom,

" HTT'Y 3,674,7@1 CNTNUUS MENEN@ MACHiNE Ster-ting C. Moon, Dublin, Ghia, asignar, hy mesne assignments, to .llcrey Galion Manufacturing Company, a corporation of Ohio Filed inne i3, 1957, Ser. No. 665,379 21 fillaims. (Cl. 262-9) The instant invention relates to continuous mining machines provided with a mining mechanism at the front end thereof, and means for gathering the mined material and delivering the material to a conveyor, which extends rearwardly along the machine for conveying the material to the rear end of the machine, at which point the material is discharged to a suitable conveyance for taking the material out of the mine, The whole machine being provided with suitable traction means for propelling `the machine for-ward into the face of the mine to con tinuously remove material therefrom.

lt is the prime object of the instant invention to provide an improved continuous mining machine which is of low height and compact construction in order to mine material from low seams in a mine.

it is a further object of the instant invention to provide an improved continuous mining machine of normally low height for the purpose of removing material from low seams in a mine, which can be readily adjusted for mining operations in seams of material which vary widely in height.

It is another obiect of the instant invention to provide an improved continuous mining machine comprising a mining mechanism for removing material from a mine and a gathering head for collecting the mined material, wherein the mining mechanism is supported on the gathering head and is adjustable with respect thereto.

it is also an object of the instant invention to provide an improved continuous mining machine comprising a mining mechanism for removing material from a mine and a gathering head for collecting the mined material, wherein the mining mechanism is supported on the gathering head, and the latter includes combination gathering and cutting means, with the mining mechanism' being adjustable with respect to the gathering head to remove material from the face of a mine in a height of mine face which may be limited to the height of cut of the mining mechanism, or may be adjusted to be equal to .the combined height of cut of the mining mechanism and of the cutting means on the gathering head.

lt is another object of the instant invention to provide an improved continuous mining machine comprising a conveyor extending the length of the mining machine for discharging the mined material therefrom, and having a head shaft located at the front end of the main frame of the mining machine, there being provided gathering means at the front of the mining machine for collecting mined material, said gathering means being adjustably supported on the main frame of the mining machine on the axis of the conveyor head shaft.

Still another object of the instant invention is to provide an improved continuous mining machine comprising a mining mechanism and agathering head for collecting the mined material, wherein the mining mechanism is supported on the gathering head and may be vertically adjusted with respect to the gathering head, there being provided bathe means between the mining mechanism and the gathering head to fill the space between the ining mechanism and the gathering head when the mining mechanism is raised, to prevent fouling of the area between the mining mechanism and the gathering head.

A further object of the instant invention is to provide Patented. dan. 22, i963 c yi@ an improved continuous mining machine comprising a gathering head at the front of the machine for collecting mined material, in which the gathering head is pivotally rounted for adjustment relatively to the main frame of the machine, and including driving means for operating the gathering head, -said driving means comprising a driving connection disposed on the axis of the pivotal connection of the gathering head to the main frame of the machine.

A further object of the instant invention is to provide an improved continuous mining machine having a mining mechanism with cutter elements which extend downwardly therefrom to the loor of the mine, said mining mechanism being supported on a frame member and including spacing means for setting the vertical position of the mining mechanism above the frame member in order to permit substitution of larger cutting elements on the mining mechanism for a greater height of cut.

lt is also an object of the instant invention to provide an improved cutting and gathering means for a continuout mining machine comprising a flight which is adapted to sweep minedmaterial from the mine floor and to remove material from the face of a mine in an area djacent the mine floor.

Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter, the novel features and combinations being set forth in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational View of the continuous mining machine of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the continuous mining machine illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view partially in section, showing the mining mechanism and gathering head of the continuous mining machine of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a `top plan view of the front end of the continuous mining machine of this invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional View taken on the line 5 5 in FIG. 4;

PEG. 6 is a side elevational view of the front end of the mining machine similar to FG. 3 and showing the mining mechanism in elevated position with respect to the gathering head;

FGS. 7 and 8 are side elevational views partially in section of the front end'of the novel mining machine, showing the use of spacer blocks -to elevate the mining mechanism with respect to the gathering head;

FIG. 9 is a `detail View in section showing elements of the driving mechanism for the conveyor and gathering means;

FIG. l() is a sectional View showing the driving mechanism for operating one side of the gathering means and the discharge conveyor, taken on line iti-iti in FIG. 9; and l FIG. ll is a sectional view in plan showing the connection of the power supplying means to the driving mechanism illustrated in PEG. l0.

Referring to the drawings, :the Icontinuous mining machine of the instant invention is generally illustrated in FIGS. l and 2. The mining machine comprises a main frame 2d which is supported `on endless crawler traction means 2l, disposed one at each side of the main frame 29, for propelling the mining machine. A conveyor 22 extends longitndinally along the center of the main trame 20 and serves to discharge the mined material at the rear end of the mining machine, from a material discharge boom section 27 forming the tail end of the conveyor 22. At the front end of the mining machine 'there is provided a mining mechanism 23 with forwardly projecting cutting means 24, which is'adapted to be fed into the face of a mine as the machine is propelled forwardly by the crawler traction means 21 for removing material from the face of the mine. The mining mechanism 23 is supported ou a gathering head 25, which is disposed adjacent the floor of the mine and extends rearwardly and upwardly towards the main frame 20 for delivering the mined material from the floor of the mine to the conveyor 22, which 0perates to carry the material to the rear end of the mining machine to be discharged from the conveyor boom section 27 at that point. The various elements of the mining machine are operated and controlled from either of twin operators stations 26, located Ione at each side of the main frame 2l? at the rear end thereof.

The mining mechanism 23 includes a gear box 30 which extends laterally across the front of the mining machine. A plurality of shafts 31 project forwardly from the front `face of the gear box 3d in a row extending across the front :of the mining machine. At the front end of `each shaft 311 there is `secured a radially extending cutter `arm 3x2 which is provided with forwardly directed cutter Ibits 3-3. The cutter arms 32 rare eccentric-ally mounted on each of the rotary shafts 3d, and rotate therewith in circular paths to cut material from 'the face of the mine. The cutter arms 32 are so disposed with respect to each other las to operate in adjacent overlapping circular paths in order to remove material from substantially the full tarea of the mine face. Since the cutter arms 32 operate in circular paths, there will remain at the floor and roof of the mine cusps of material. These cusps of material are removed from the roo-f of the mine by cusp cutters 34, two of lwhich are provided at the front of the mining mechanism 23, extending the full width of 'the mining mechanism 26. Each of the cusp cutters 34 is provided with a plurality of cutter bits 3S which extend upwardly and forwardly from the top of the cusp cutters 34. An eccentric driving mechanism is provided for operating the cusp cut-ters 34 to move the cutter bits 35 thereof rin small circular paths adjacent the roof of the mine, in order to remove the cusps of material therefrom which are left by the cutter arms 32. rPhe driving mechanism for operating the cusp cutters 34 is not illustrated in detail since it does not form `a part of the instant invention. The cutting means `for removing the cusps of ma- -terial from the mine iloor will be described in detail hereinafter.

The gear box Sil* encloses a suitable gear train for operating the shafts 311, as well as the eccentric driving mechanism for 'the cusp cutters 34. A pair of transmissions 36 are secured to the rear side of the gear box Sil, one at each side of the machine. and are connected to the gear train within the gear box 3i? for driving the latter. A pair of drive shafts 37 supply power to 'the transmissions 35, and these drive shafts 37 extend forwardly from transmissions 38 one at each side of the main frame 2@ which are driven by motors supported on the main frame Ztl of the mining machine. The shaft 37 is connected at its opposite ends to the transmissions 36, 3S by universal joints 3i?, and includes a telescoping portion so that the mining mechanism 23 may be readily adjusted with respect to the main frame 2tlg as will be explained in greater detail hereinafter.

The gathering head 25v `extends forwardly from the main frame 20 of the mining machine to adjacent the mine floor. The gathering head 2S comprises la pair of frame members 4l) disposed one on each side of the longitudinal centerline of the mining machine. A bridge member 41 extends laterally across the iront of the mining machine immediately behind the gear box 3% of the mining mechanism 23. The bridge member 41 is welded, or otherwise secured, to the frame members 4 of the gathering heads 25', land thereby connects the frame members 4h.

The bridge member 41 includes a ver-tical track 42 at each side 'thereof immediately behind the gear box 3d. The rear wall of the gear box 3o is formed with a pair of Vertical guides 43 which are complementally formed with respect to the tracks 42 and Iare engaged therewith for vertical movement of the mining mechanism 23. The mining mechanism 23 is normally supported by seating on the 'top surface of lthe gathering head 25, as best seen in FIG. 3. However, the mining mechanism 23- may be vertically adjusted with respect to the gathering head 25 by movement of the gear box 3h along the tracks 42, which yare provided on the bridge member 4l that forms a part of the gathering head 25. Obviously any longitudinal thrust of the mining mechanism 23 is supported or absorbed by the gathering head 25 through said bridge member `41 and said pair of vertical guides 43 and tracks 42. A pair of vertically disposed hydraulic cylinder and piston 44 power mechanisms lare provided behind the gear box 3i), one adjacent each guide 43. The bottom of each cylinder and piston mechanism 44 is secured to the fname member 4l) by a pin 45- (see FIG. 7) and the top of each cylinder and piston mechanism 44 is secured to the gear box 3d by ga. pin 46 (see FIG. 4). The mining machine includes a hydraulic system for prov-iding hydraulic huid under pressure for operating the cylinder and piston mechanisms 44 to elevate the mming mechanism 23 in accordance with the dlctates of'the mining operation. The hydraulic conduits, connections and other details of the hydraulic system have been `omitted from the drawings for the sake of clarity, s1nce these do not form any part of the instant invention.

The frame members 40 of the gathering head 25 extend from adjacent the mine floor rearwardly towards the main frame 2t) and upwardly to a position above the conveyor 22. The frame members 40 are disposed one on either side of the longitudinal centerline of the machine and are spaced from each other to form a passageway 47 through which the mined material is moved to the conveyor 22. Each frame member 4t) includes a track 48 extending along the passageway 4-7 and a track 49 extending along the outer side of the frame member 40. At the front of the frame member 40 there is provided a track 50 that extends generally laterally across the front of the machine. The track 50 has rearwardly extending legs 5l at the top and bottom thereof, which tit into slots 52, and the track S6 may be slid forwardly and rearwardly with respect to the frame member 40 for a purpose to be described. A screw element 53 is threaded into the frame member 40 and abuts the rear side of the track 59, and includes an operating collar 54, whereby the screw 53 may be utilized to adjust the position of the track S0.

rlfhe gathering head 25 further lincludes gathering means in the form of a chain 55 of the universal link type which is adapted to pivot in directions at right angles to each other. At regularly spaced intervals along the chain there is linked thereto combination gathering and cutting flights 56 comprising a body portion 57 which is linked to the chain 55 by a pin 58. A first arm 59 extends laterally from the body portion 7 and forms with the body portion 57 (see FG. 4) a front face 60 for sweeping mined material from the floor of the mine. At the end of the rst arm 59 there is provided a plurality or" cutter bits 6i which are spaced with respect to each other in an upright line and are also angularly disposed with respect to each other in a diverging pattern. A second arm 62 extends laterally from the body portion 5/ of the flight 56 and is disposed behind the first arm 59 in spaced relation thereto. A plurality of cutter bits 63 are secured to the end of the second arm 62 and project forwardly therefrom. The cutter bits 63 are similarly disposed, as are the cutter bits 46l on the rst arm 59, except that the cutter bits 63 are alternated with the cutter bits 61 looking in the direction of the chain travel. Referring to PEG. 4, the body portion 57 is seen to comprise a heel 64 at its rear end which abuts a link of the chain 5S. The heel 64 is not connected to the chain 55, but by virtue of its bearing against a link of the chain 55, serves to maintain the llight 56 steady as it travels around the front of the frame member 4t) and cuts into the material of the mine. The cutter bits 6l, 63 cut material in an area adjacent the mine floor and thereby remove the cusps of material from the mine oor that are left by the cutting means 2d.

The frame member tti has `a generally triangular configuration with the apex thereof located near the front end of the conveyor 22. A driving sprocket 65 is disposed at the apex of the frame member 4t). The teeth of the sprocket 65 engage the links of the chain 55 to drive the chain around the frame member 40. Since each ight 56 is connected to the chain by a single pin f d, the chain is capable of traveling around the sprocket 65 in a relatively small radius turn. The links 66 of the chain 55 are each formed with upwardly and downwardly extending ears 67 which are engaged in the slots 68 (FIG. 4) of the tracks 48, 49, 50 to thereby guide the chain and maintain the chain steady in its run.

As described above, the cutter arms 32 at the front of the mining mechanism 23 operate in circular overlapping paths which remove material from substantially the whole area of the mine tace but leave cusps of material on the floor and roof of the mine. The cutter bits 6i, 63 on the llights 56 of the gathering chain 55 operate adjacent the mine door to remove material from this area and thereby remove the cusps that are fonrned by the cutting arms 32. The front of each frame member to is formed with a blade 7d which is disposed on the mine door and serves to chip any material that may remain attached to the floor. The blade 7i? extends around the front of the gathering head 25 and into the passageway 47. The passageway 47 includes a surface 71 which extends longitudinally upwardly from the mine door to above the conveyor 22. The surface 71 spans the distance in the passageway 47 between the frame members 4d and provides an uninterrupted, smooth path for the mined material leading to above the conveyor 22. As seen in FlG. 5, the liights 56 travel upwardly along the surface 7l to sweep the material therealong and discharge the material onto the conveyor 22.

The sprocket 65 is keyed to the end of a shaft 72 which is supported in an upwardly extending position in the frame member 4t) of the gathering head 25 by suitable roller bearing means (see FIGS. 9 and 10). The shaft 72 has a bevel gear 74 secured thereto by a key 73, the bevel gear 74 being rotated to drive the sprocket 65. The frame member d@ includes a housing 75 for a speed reducing transmission 76 which comprises two pairs of conventional spur gears. A bevel gear 77 is driven by the transmission 76, and this bevel gear 77 meshes with the bevel gear 74 to rotate the shaft 72 for driving the sprocket 65. The transmission '76 is driven by a drive shaft 7d, at the outer end of which there is keyed a bevel gear 79. The bevel gear 79 is driven by a bevel gear 80 which is driven through a clutch mech- .anism 8l, powered by a shaft S2 (see FIG. 1l). The outer end of the shaft 32 includes a universal joint 83 which connects the end of drive shaft 84 thereto. The other end of the drive shaft 4 is connected by a universal joint 85 to the transmission 38 which supplies the power for driving the various operating elements, including the drive shaft 73 and the bevel gear 7d, that rotate the sprocket 65.

The front of the main frame 2d is formed with a pair of cylindrical sockets 8S (FIG. l0) located one on each side of the main frame 2t), and these sockets 8S support the gathering head 2S on the front end of the main frame 2t?. Each rrame member 4t) of the gathering head 25 is formed with a hollow cylindrical journal S9 extending to the opposite sides of the gathering head 25 and fitting into the sockets 8%. The journal 89 is spaced from the socket 83 by a sleeve bushing 9) to provide a bearing between the journal 89 and the socket 8S. The sockets 8S at the opposite sides of the main frame 2t) pivotally support the gathering head 25 on the front end of the main frame 20, with the journals` 89 being adapted to pivot relatively to the sockets 88, so that the gathering head 25 may be adjusted about the normally horizontal transverse axis of the pivotal connection for adjustment ol the gathering head 25 relatively to the main frame 26. it is obvious that any longitudinal thrust on the gathering head 25, either directly or through the mining mechanism 23, bridge 4l, etc., will be transmitted to the supporting main frame 2t? through the sockets Sd, journals S9 and bushings 90.

The drive shaft 7S is disposed within the hollow journal 89 with the axis thereof coincident with the axis of the pivotal connection of the gathering head 25 to the main frame 20. The end of the drive shaft 73, which lconnects to the transmission '76 is rotatably support-ed lby a 1ball bearing 91 mounted on the housing 75 of the frame member '46. The opposite end of the drive shaft 78, which has secured thereto the bevel gear 75, is supported by a ball bearing 92 mounted in a collar 93 which, in turn, is rbolted to the main Aframe 2d. Thus, the drive shaft 78 may continuously rotate while the gathering -head 25 is pivotally adjusted relatively to the main frame 20 on the pivotal connection formed by the journals 89 and the sockets iSS. The transmission 76 and the 'bevel gears 74, 77 which drive the sprocket 65 are all mounted in the frame member d@ of the gathering head 25, and move therewith when the gathering head 25 is adjusted relatively to the main Aframe Ztl.

At either side of the main frame Zt an arm extends outwardly `and forwardly in the direction of the gathering head 25. The arm 95 extends a substantial distance `forwardly of the pivotal connection between the gathering head 25 and the main frame 2@ to `a position near the :top of the mining machine. The -front end of each arm '95 has a cylinder and piston mechanism 96 secured thereto by a pin 97. The cylinder and piston mechanism 96 extends downwardly from the -front end of the arm 95, and has the lower end thereof secured to the gathering head 25 by means of a pin 95 connecting the cylinder and piston mechanism 96 to the gathering head 25 through la laterally extending bracket 99. Suitable hydraulic connections leading from the hydraulic :system of the mining machine connect to the cylinder iand piston mechanism 96 for operating it in the usual manner to contract or expand the device. These are not illustrated in the drawings for the sake of clarity since they do not form lany part of the instant invention. The cylinder and piston mechanism 96 may be contracted to pivot the gathering head 25 on the axis of the socket S8 on the main trame 20, to raise or lower the gathering head 25 at the front end of the mining machine in accordance with the dictates of the mining operation. Since the mining mechanism 23 is supported on the Igathering head 25, it will also be raised and lowered with the gathering head 25 when the cylinder and piston mechanism 96 is operated. To this extent the mining mechanism 23 and the gathering head 25 form a single unit in the machine.

The conveyor 22, which receives the mined material from the gathering head 25, extends from the front end of the main frame 20 rearwardly `along the longitudinal centerline of the mining machine to the rear end thereof at which point the material is discharged from the boom section 27. The conveyor 22 comprises a universal linked chain le@ having laterally extending liights itil located at regularly spaced intervals along the length of the chain. The 4cmtfeyor 22 includes a conveyor Ebed 162 over which the iiights 101 sweep the mined material, and a chain guide 2% (PEG. 4) disposed on the conveyor bed 102 for guiding the chain ltrtl in a straight run. The receiving end of the conveyor 22 Iat the front of the main frame 20 has `a laterally extending shaft 103 (FIG. 5) formed with a sprocket 1&4. The sprocket litt/i is driven by the Ishaft 103 and the teeth of the sprocket 161% en- 7 gage the link-s of the chain 1G11 to drive the chain along the bed 162.

The head shaft 1% of the conveyor 22 is .'rotatably supported bet-Ween the frame members 40 of the gathering head 25. The opposite ends of the shaft 103 are rotatably mounted within :ball bearings 105 which, in turn, are mounted within supporting collars 106 bolted to the frame members 111. The ends 167 of the shaft 1113 eX- tend beyond the bearings 1115 and each end 1117 of the shaft 1113 has iixedly secured -thereto a bevel gear 198 which meshes with the gear 74 that rotates the shaft 72 and the sprocket 65 for the gathering means, The drive for the shaft 103 and sprocket 11B-4iof the conveyor 22 is thus directly tied to the drive lfor the gathering means on the gathering head 25. It is a further characteristic of the drive that the head shaft 103 is rotatably supported by the bearings 1115 on the frame members 413 of the gathering head 25, and the axis of the head shaft 1113 is coincident with the axis of the drive shaft 78, and the axis of the pivotal connection of the gathering head 2S to the main trame 20 formed by the socket 88 and the journal 89. Accordingly, the gathering head 25 may tbe freely pivoted in the sockets SS of the main frame 20, without in any way affecting the driving connection to the head shaft 103 of the conveyor 22. The machine can operate continuously while the gathering head 25 is pivotally adjusted relatively to the main Aframe 211.

As previously described, the mining mechanism 23 may be vertically adjusted on the tracks `42 to raise it with respect to the gathering head 25 by operation of the cylinder `and piston mechanisms 44. When the mining mechanism 23 is adjusted in this manner, it will be spaced above the top of the frame members 40 of the gathering head 2,5. The space, thus formed between the mining mechanism 23 and the top of the frame members 40, would have a tendency to be fouled by dust and mined material that would ily into the space during the course of the mining operation. Accordingly, a bathe 110 (see FIG. 6) is provided between the mining mechanism 23 and the gathering head 25.

Two batiies 111B are provided, one `on either side of the machine, for each frame member 41). The frame member 41D is formed with a hollow socket 111 that eX- tends laterally under the mining mechanism 23 and is of elongated conhguration with rounded ends. Telescoped within the socket 111 `are a hrst baille member 112 and a second lbalile member 113, |both parts of gathering head 25. rthe irst bathe member 112 is secured to the underside of the gear box 311 of the mining mechanism 23 lby bolts 114. The bottom of the -rst baille member 112 is formed with a peripheral ilange 115 that engages under a lip 116 at the top of the second baile member 113. The first bathe member 112 is of `such size that it will telescopically t within the second battle member 113i, and when the hrst bathe member is raised, the flange 115 thereof will engage behind the lip 116` on the second Ibaiiie member 113 to withdraw it from the socket 111 in an upward direction. The second `battle member 113 is formed with a peripheral flange 117 which is adapted t0 engage under a lip 118 formed at the top of the socket 111 in the frame member `dit. Thus, `as the mining mechanism 23 is elevated with respect to the gathering head 25, the gear box 311 will withdraw the first battle mem-ber 112 from within the second 'bathe member 113. As the mining mechanism 23 is raised further, the baille member 112 will engage the second baille member 113 by means of the flange 115 abutting under the lip 116, and then the second baille member will be withdrawn from the socket 111 `as illutrated in FIG. 6. The first and second baffle members 112, 113 will substantially ll the space between the gear box 30 of the mining mechanism 23 and the top of the frame members dit of the gathering head 25. Thus, dust and particles of mined material cannot lodge in this space and `foul the mechanism to prevent lowering the gear box 30 onto the top of the -frame members 40.

When the mining mechanism 23 is in its lowermost: position, :as shown in HG. 3, the cutter arms 32 extend downwardly to the floor of the mine in Vfront of the ilights 56 onthe gathering chain 55. With this arrangement the gathering means in effect follows the cutting arms 32 of the mining mechanism 23 to collect the mined material. The cutting bits 61, 63 on the iights 57 are operative to out Ian area adjacent the mine floor and will remove the cusps along the mine oor which are let'it by the rotating cutter arms 32 which cut in overlapping circular paths. he mining machine of this invention is normally adapted to mine material in a relatively low height seam and it is so adapted by the arrangement of the mining mechanism 23 and the gathering head 25 as `described herein. The mining machine is capable of adjustment to mine material in higher seams as well, and one such adjustment is provided by the cylinder and piston mechanism e4 at the rear of the mining mechanism 23, which is operative to elevate the mining mechanism 23, las shown in FIG. 6. When the mining mechanism 23 is so elevated with respect to the gathering head 25, the cutter arms 32 will entend downwardly to the top of the nights 57 and the cutter bits 61, 63. With the mining machine so adjusted the cutter arms 32 will mine material ifrom an area of the mine face that is spaced above Ithe mine floor, and the cutter bits 61, 63 will remove the material along a height of the mine face extending from the door of the mine tto the bottom of the cutter arms 32. The cutter bits o1, 63 on the iights 57 travel around the iframe members 46 and into the passage- Way `17 formed between the frame members 40, and thus will remove the material in this area also as they travel around the `frame members 111. The surface 71 in the passageway 47 is `formed with a blade 69 at its lfront end (see FIG. 5), yand this blade 69 is so disposed `relative to the mine lioor to chip away any rib of material that may be left by the spacing between the two gathering and cutting `chains and tlights 55, 56.

The mining machine of this invention may be adapted for mining in seam-s which are of greater height than the range of adjustment described above. For this purpose there is provided a set of spacer blocks 120, 121, which may be interposed between the gear box 3@ olf the mining mechanism 23 and the frame members 411 of the gathering 'head 25. The spacer block 121B is of an intermediate size and the spacer block 121 is of a larger size, and these are illustrated in 'F1-GS. 7 and 8 -as being exemplary of various size spacer blocks that may be utilized in the mining machine of this invention. As seen in FIG. 7, the spacer block 1211 is placed between the bottom surface of -gear box 5d `and the top sur-face of the rst baille member 112 (which is pant of the head 25), and secured therebetween by suitabie size bolts 122. ln order to give the greater height of cut on the mine face, intermediate size cutter arms 123 are substituted on the rotatable shafts 31 in place of the smaller size cutter arms 32. The intermediate size cutter arms 123 will travel in a circular path of greater `diameter than that ot the smaller cutter arms 32 and thereby remove material from a greater height on the mine face. As previously described, the mining mechanism 23 may be vertically adjusted with respect to the gathering head 25 to give a yfull height of `cut which is equal to the sum of the height of cut of the cutting arms 123 and of the cutter bits d1, 63 on the gathering ights 57.

if a still greater height of cut is desired a larger spacer block 121 my be utilized, and this is secured between tie gear box Se and the first bathe member 112 by suitable size boits 124 (see FIG. 8). Larger cutter arms 125 are substituted on the rotary shaft-s, 31 to provide the greater height of eut on lthe face of the mine, and as previously, the gear `box 311 may also be elevated by means .somewhat uneven.

,aora-,70.1

9 or the cylinder and piston mechanism 4d to iur-ther increase the height ot cut in the mine.

The whole mining machine ot this invention is supported on traction means 2l which comprises endless ,crawler treads lid disposed one at either side of the main frame Zt? and adapted to be independently driven so that the machine may be propelled around a curve. A sprocket wheel 127 at the front end of the main frame Zt guides the front end of the crawler tread l2@ and also idrives the crawler tread d2@ by engagement ofthe sprocket tooth with the links of the crawler tread 126. An idler sprocket wheel 12h is disposed adjacent the rear of the main frame 2li' and guides the rear end of the crawler tread izo. Behind the driving sprocket wheel 127 there is provided a shoe i129* (see FIG. 8) which is generally lflat and extends rearwardly behind the driving sprocket wheel 127 to guide the crawler tread E26 with a iioor engaging petition of the tread 126 bearing against the shoe 29. The shoe 29 yis pivota-lly mounted on a pivot pin E3@ and may be swung downwardly aboutthis pivot. The shoe i129 has a head end i331 and a hat intermediate portion 132 which are normally in engagement with the crawler tread i125 Ito guide the same. The shoe l2? yfurther includes a heel i533 that is normally disposed above the crawler tread 26 and curves upwardly from the hat intermediate portion 132 of the shoe M9. Above the heel 13? there is formed a bracket 13d to which there is pivotally ysecured a cylinder and piston mechanism 135 by a pin e. The upper end of the cylinder and piston mechanism i3d is secured to the main frame 2d by a pin 37.

The shoe l2@ can be pivotally adjusted about the pivot pin 13d by operation of the cylinder and piston mechanism 35, yoperation of which will lower the heel portion 33 into engagement with the crawler treads 126 and r-aise the head portion i3d. The effect or this operation is to change the path of the crawler tread 126 and to extend it further downwardly, which will result in raising the mia-chine With respect to the `door of the mine. The shoes i219 on the opposite sides of the mining machine are independently operable Iand thus may be utilized to provide a `lateral adjustment of the machine to maintain the machine level in a lateral dircftio-n irrespective of the :contour of :the nine door, which will usually be The effect of this adjustment is to provide a lateral tilting or the mining mechanism 23 at the front of the mining machine to maintain it level in a lateral direction.

From the foregoing description it is apparent that the continuous mining machine or" this invention is a compact machine which is particularly adapted for mining operations in low seams of material. The mining machine comprises .a mining mechanism located at the front of the machine and supported on a gathering head which ,collects the mined material from the mine iloor and deivers it to a conveyor which extends rearwardly along the longitudinal centerline of the machine to move the material to the rear of the machine Where it is discharged The gathering head is supported on the front end of the main frame of the mining machine on pivot means which permits the gathering head to be adjusted upwardly and downwardly in order to follow the seam of material in the mine. The mining mechanism being supported on the gathering head is similarly adjusted along with the gathering head. The mining mechanism of the machine is capable of further adjustment with respect to the gathering head and independently' thereof or mining in higher seams of material.

The gathering means on the gathering head includes cutter elements which are adapted to remove material from an area adjacent the mine door, and the mining mechanism can be raised with respect to the gathering head so that the cutter elements thereof will remove material from an area above the aforementioned cutter elements on the gathering means, thereby increasing the effective cutting height of the machine. The cutting height of the mining machine o this invention may be further increased by spacing the mining mechanism above the gathering head and substituting larger cutter elements on the mining mechanism. As another'feature of the novel mining machine of this invention, the drive for the gathering means and the drive for the conveyor, which discharges the mined material from the machine, are interconnected along the axis of the pivotal connection of the gathering headto the main frame of the machine, thereby providing a compact drive for these elements of the machine.

Obviously those skilledin the yart may make various changes in-thedetails andarrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims hereto appended, and applicant therefore wishes not to be restricted to the precise construction herein disclosed.

Having thus described and shown an embodiment of the invention, what it is desired to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. ln a continuous mining machine having a main frame supported on traction means for propelling the mining machine and a mining mechanism at the forward Aend of the mining machine lfor removing material from the tace oa minefagathering head at the front of the mining machine-including gathering means disposedadjacent the door of the mine for collecting the mined material from themine i'loor, means adjustably supporting themining mechanism on the gathering head-i at the front of the machineandaboVe the gathering means, means for raising and ilowering the mining mechanism relatively to the gathering head to adjust the position of the mining :mechanism battle means disposed within the gathering head, said baille means being secured to the mining mechanism and Vraised therewith from the gathering head to fill the space between the'mining mechanism and the gathering head, means for adjustably' supporting said vgathering head andsaid mining mechanism on the main frame, and means foradjusting the gathering head and the mining mechanism relatively to the main frame.

2. in a continuous mining machine havinga main frame supported by Vtraction means for propelling the mining machine and a mining mechanism at the forward end of .the mining machine Vfor removing material from the face oi a mine, gathering head at thefront of the mining means disposed'between the mining `mechanism andthe gather-infT head, lsaid baille means comprising a plurality o t telescoping members disposed within ythe gathering head when the mining mechanism is in its lowermost position, means securing said bathe means to the mining ,mechanism to be extended when the mining mechanism is raised relatively to the gathering head to lill 'the space etween the mining mechanism and the gathering head, means for adjustably supporting said gathering head and said mining mechanism on the main frame, and means for adjusting the gathering head and the mining mechanisrn relatively to the main frame.

3. In a continuous mining machine having a main frame supported on traction means for propelling the mining machine and a mining mechanism at the forward end of the mining machine for removing material from the face of a mine, a gathering head at the front of the `mining Vmachine including gathering means adapted to be disposed adjacent the oor of the mine for collecting the mined material from the mine door, means adjustably supporting the mining mechanism on the gathering head at the front of the machine and above the gathering means, means for raising the mining mechanism relatively 'to the gathering head to adjust the position ofthe mining mechanism, bafe means disposed in the gathering head, said bafile means being secured to the mining mechanism and raised therewith to ill the space Ibetween the mining mechanism and the gathering head.

4. In a continuous mining machine having 'a main frame supported on traction means for propelling the mining machine and a mining mechanism at the forward end of the mining machine for removing material from the face of a mine, a supporting frame member at the front of the mining machine, means adjustably supporting the mining mechanism on the supporting frame member 'at the front of the machine and above the supporting iframe member, means for raising the mining mechanism relatively to the supporting frame member to adjust the position of the mining mechanism, bafe means disposed 1in the supporting frame member, said baiiie means being :secured to the mining mechanism and raised therewith to fili the space between the mining mechanism and the supporting frame member.

'5. In a continuous mining machine comprising traction means for propelling the mining machine and a mining mechanism for removing material from the face of a mine, a supporting frame member, means adjustably supporting the mining mechanism on the frame member, means for raising and lowering the mining mechanism relatively to the supporting frame member to adjust the position of the mining mechanism, bame means disposed in the supporting frame member, and means for raising and lowering the baille means with the mining mechanism to ll the space between the mining mechanism and the supporting frame member.

6. In a continuous mining machine comprising traction means for propelling the mining machine and a mining mechanism for removing material from the face of a mine, a supporting frame member, means adjustably supporting the mining mechanism on the supporting frame member, means for raising and lowering the mining mechanism relatively to the supporting frame member to adjust the position of the mining mechanism, bafe means disposed between the mining mechanism and the supporting frame member, said baffle means comprising a plurality of telescoping members disposed within the supporting frame member when the mining mechanism is in its lowermost position, means securing said bafe means to the mining mechanism to extend the bafe means when the mining mechanism is raised relatively to the supporting frame member to till the space between the mining mechanism and the supporting frame member.

7. In a continuous mining machine having a mining mechanism for removing material from the face of a mine and means to propel the mining machine, gathering means for collecting the mined material comprising a chain and means for driving the chain through the mined material, `a combination gathering and cutting ight on the chain, said flight comprising a body portion linked to the chain and extending laterally therefrom, said body portion being formed with a -front face for sweeping the mined material, a rst row or" spaced cutter bits arranged substantially in an upright row projecting from the body portion, a second row of spaced cutter bits arranged substantially in an upright row disposed behind said rst row of cutter bits and projecting from the body portion, the cutter bits in said second row being alternated with the cutter bits in said first row in the direction of travel of said chain.

8. In a continuous mining machine having a mining mechanism for removing material from the face of a mine and means to propel the mining machine, gathering means for collecting the mined material comprising a combination gathering and cutting flight adapted to be driven through the mined material, said Hight being formed with a front face for sweeping the mined material, a rst row of spaced cutter bits arranged substantially in an upright i2 row projecting from the flight,` a second row of spaced cutter bits arranged substantially in an upright row disposed behind said first ro`w of cutter bits and projecting from the night, the cutter bits in said second row -being alternated with the cutter bits in said 'rst row in the direction of travel of the iiight.

9. In a continuous mining machine having a mining mechanism for removing material from the face of a mine and means to propel the mining machine, gathering means for collecting the mined material comprising a combination gathering and cutting flight adapted to be driven through the mined material, said flight being formed with a front face for sweeping the mined material, a rst row of spaced cutter bits arranged substantially in an upright row projecting from the night,A a second row of spaced cutter bits arranged substantially in an upright row disposed behind said first row of cutter bits and projecting from the flight, the cutter bits of each of said rows projecting from the flight in a direction substantially parallel to said front face.

10. In a continuous mining machine having a main frame supported on traction means for propelling the mining machine `and a mining mechanism at the forward end of the mining machine for removing material from the face of a mine, a gathering head at the lfront of the mining machine including gathering means adapted tbe disposed adjacent the tloorof the mine for collecting the minedlmaterial from ythe mine oor, said gathering means comprising a combination gathering and cutting flight adapted to be driven through the mined material, said flight being formed with a front face for sweeping the mined material, a iirst row of spaced cutter bits arranged substantially in an upright row projecting from the Hight, a second row of spaced cutter bits arranged substantially in an upright row disposed behind said first row of cutter bits and projecting from the flight, the cutter bits in said second row being alternated with the cutter bits in said rst row in the direction of travel of the flight, means adjustably supporting the mining mechanism on the gathering head at the front of the machine and above the gathering means, means for raising the mining mechanism relatively to the gathering head to adjust the position of the mining mechanism to cut an area of the mine face above that cut by the gathering means cutter bits, bafe means disposed between the mining mechanism and the gathering head, said baie means being secure-d to the mining mechanism and raised therewith to till the space between the mining mechanism and the gathering head.

l1. In a continuous mining machine having a main frame supported on traction means for propelling the minmg machine and a mining mechanism at the forward end of the mining machine for removing material from the face of a mine, a gathering head at the front of the mining machine including gathering means adapted to be disposed adjacent the oor of the mine for collecting the mined material from the mine Hoor, said gathering means comprislng a combination gathering and cutting iiight adapted to be driven through the mined material, said flight being formed with a front face for sweeping the mined material, a rst row of spaced cutter bits arranged substantially in an uprlght row projecting from the Hight, a second row of spaced cutter bits arranged substantially in an upright row disposed behind said first row of cutter bits and projecting from the flight, the cutter bits of each of said rows projecting from the Hight in a direction substantially parallel to said front face, means adjustably supporting the mining mechanism on the gathering head at the front of the machine and above the gathering means, means for raising the mining mechanism relatively to the gathering head to adjust the position of the mining mechanism to cut an area of the mine face above that cut by the gathering means cutter bits, baflie means disposed between the mining mechanism and the gathering head, said baffle means being secured to the mining mechanism and raised i3 therewith to iill the space between the mining mechanism and the gathering head.

l2. in a continuous mining machine having a main frame supported on traction means for propelling the mining machine and a mining mechanism at the forward end of the mining machine for removing material from the face of a mine as the mining mechanism is advanced into the mine face, a gathering head including gathering means for collecting the mined material from the mine iioor, means supporting the mining mechanism on the gathering head including a top surface on the gathering head for seating the mining mechanism on the gathering head, said mining mechanism being disposed above the gathering head and being seated on the gathering head on said top surface, said gathering head including a frame member disposed behind the mining mechanism, means on said frame member and mining mechanism connecting the mining mechanism to the frame member to support the longitudinal thrust of the mining mechanism on the gathering head as the mining mechanism is advanced into the mine face, means for supporting said gathering head and said mining mechanism on the main frame, the last said supporting means including pivot means pivotally connecting the gathering head and the mining mechanism to the main frame and supporting the gathering head and the mining mechanism on the main frame for transmitting the longitudinal thrust of the mining mechanism from the gathering head to the main frame, and means for pivoting the gathering head and the mining mechanism on said pivot means to adjust the gathering head and the mining mechanism relatively to the main frame.

13. In a continuous mining machine having a main frame supported on traction means for propelling the mining machine and a mining mechanism at the forward end of the mining machine for removing material from the face of a mine as the mining mechanism is advanced into the mine face7 a gathering head at the front of the mining machine including gathering means disposed adjacent the floor of the mine for collecting the mined material from the mine door, means supporting the mining mechanism on the gathering head at the front of the machine and above the gathering means including a top surface on the gathering head for seating the mining mechanism on the gathering head, said mining mechanism being disposed above the gathering head and being seated on the gathering head on said top surface, said gathering head including a frame member disposed behind the mining mechanism, means on said frame member and mining mechanism connecting the mining mechanism to the frame member to support the longitudinal thrust of the mining mechanism on the gathering head as the mining mechanism is advanced into the mine face, means for adjustably connecting said gathering head and said mining mechanism to the main frame and supporting the gathering head and the mining mechanism on the main frame for transmitting the longitudinal thrust of the mining mechanism from the gathering head to the main frame, and means for adjusting the gathering head and the mining mechanism relatively to the main frame.

14. In a continuous mining machine having a main frame supporte-d by traction means for propelling the mining machine and a mining mechanism at the forward end of the mining machine for removing material from the face of a mine as the mining mechanism is advanced into the mine face, a gathering head at the front of the mining machine inchiding gathering means disposed adjacent the door of the mine for collecting the mined material from the mine door, said gathering means including cutter means to cut an area of the mine face adjacent the floor of the mine, means for supporting the mining mechanism on the gathering head including a top surface on the gathering head for seating the mining mechanism on the gathering head, said mining mechanism being disposed above the gathering head and being seated on the gathering head on said top surface, said gathering head including a frame member disposed lbehind the mining mechanism, track and guide means on said frame member and mining mechanism connecting the mining mechanism to the frame member for adjustment of the mining mechanism relatively to the gathering head and to support the longitudinal thrust of the mining mechanism on the gathering head as the mining mechanism is advanced into the mine face, said mining mechanism including cutter means extending `down in front of the gathering means, means for raising the mining mechanism above the gathering head to adjust the mining mechanism cutter means relatively to the gathering head for removing material from the area of the mine face above the area thereof from which the cutter means on the gathering means removes material, means for adjustably connecting said gathering head and said mining mechanism to the main frame and supporting the gathering head and the mining mechanism on the main frame for transmitting the longitudinal thrust of the mining mechanism to the main frame, and means for adjusting the gathering head and the mining mechanism relatively to the main frame.

1S. In a continuous mining machine yhaving a main frame supported by traction means for propelling the mining machine and a mining mechanism at the forward end of the mining machine for removing materialy from the face of a mine as the mining mechanism is advanced into the mine face, a gathering head at the front of the mining machine including gathering means disposed adjacent the floor of the mine for collecting the mined material from the mine iioor, said gathering means including cutter means to -cut an area of the mine face adjacent the door of the mine, means adjustably supporting th mining mechanism on the gathering head including a top surface on the gathering head for seating the mining mechanism on the gathering head, said mining mechanism being disposed above the gathering head and being seated on the gathering head on said top surface, said gathering head including a frame member disposed behind the mining mechanism, track and guide means on said frame member and mining mechanism connecting the mining mechanism to the frame member for adjustment of the mining mechanism relatively to the gathering head and to support the longitudinal thrust of the mining mechanism on the gathering head as the mining mechanism is advanced into the mine face, said mining mechanism including cutter means extending down in front of the gathering means, means for raising the mining mechanism above the gathering head to adjust the mining mechanism cutter means relatively to the gathering head for removing material from the area of the mine face above the area thereof from which the cutter means on the gathering means removes material.

16. In a continu-ous mining machine having a main frame supported by traction means for propelling the mining machine and a mining mechanism at the front end :of the mining machine for removing material from the face o-f a mine as the mining mechanism is advanced into the mine face, a gathering head at .the front of the mining machine including gathering means disposed adjacent the door of the mine for collecting the mined material from the mine floor, means supporting the mining mechanism on the gathering head including Ia top surface on the gathering head for seating the mining mechanism on the gathering head, said mining mechanism being disposed above the gathering head and being normaliy seated on the gathering head on said top surface, said gathering head including a frame member disposed ehind the mining mechanism, means on said frame member and mining mechanism for connecting the mining mechanism to the frame member for upright adjustment of the mining mechanism relatively to the gathering head and i face, vsaid mining mechanism including cutter means extending down to vthe mine floor in front of the gathering means, spacci' means adapted to be interposed between the mining mechanism and the top surface of 4the gathering head elevate thexmining mechanism with respect to the mine floor for substitritirig larger cutter means extending down to the mine floor.

l7. ln a continuous mining machine having a mair'i frame supported by traction means for propelling :the mining machine and a mining mechanism at the front end of the mining machine for removing material from the face of a mine as the mining mechanism is advanced into the mine face, a gathering head at the front of the irlining machine including gathering means disposed adjacent the fir hf the' rnine for collecting the. mined material from the mine door, irieris siipiorting the mining mechanism on the gathering head including fop surface on the gathering head for seating the mining mechanism on the gathering head, said mining mechanism being disposed above the gathering head and being normaily seated on the gathering head on said top surface, said gathering head including a frame member disposed behind the mining mechanism, means on said frame memher mining mechanism for connecting the mining mechanism to the frame member for upright adjustment of the mining mechanism relatively to the gathering head `and to support the ioiigitudinal thrust of the mining mechanism `on :the gathering head as itis `advanced into the mine face, said mniing mechanism including cutter means cn'-` tending down to the mine door in front of the gathering means, said cutter means comprising a rotary shaft projecting forwardly from the mining mechanism and a cutter hrm extending radially from the rotary shaft, spacer means ladapted to be interposed between the mining mechanism and the top surface of the gathering head to elevate the mining mechanism with respect to the gathering head fr substitution of a longer cutter arm 'on the .rotary shaft to cut a greater height of material from the mine face; A fig; In a continuous mining machine having a main frame supported by traction means for propelling the mining machine and a mining mechanism at the front end of themining machine for removing material from 'the face of fa mine as the mining mechanism is advanced into' the 'mine face, a gathering head at the front of the mining machine including gathering means disposed adjacent the floor of the mine for collecting the mined material from the mine door, said gathering means including cutter means `to cut ian area of the mine face adjacent the floor of .the mine, means supporting the mining mechanism on the gathering head including a top surface on the gathering head for seating the mining mechanism on the gathering head, said mining mechanism being disposed above the gathering head and being normally seated on the gathering head on .said top surface, said gathering head including a frame member disposed behind the mining mechanism, means on said frame member and mining mechanism for connecting `the mining mechanism to the frame member yfor upright adjustment of the mining mech- .-anism relatively to the gathering head and to support the longitudinal thrust of the mining mechanism on the lgathering head as it is advanced into the mine face, said vmining mechanism including a forwardly projecting rotary shaft, a cutter arm extending radially from the shaft ,do-wn .to the mine iioor in front of the gathering means, a spacer block adapted to be interposed between the mining mechanism and the top surface of the gathering head .to elevate the mining mechanism with respect to the gathering head for substitution of a longer cutter arm on the rotary shaft to cut a greater height of material from the mine face, and means for raising the mining mechanism relatively to the gathering head to adjust the mining mechanism cutter arm relatively to the gathering head for removing material from the area of the mine face entrarci l above the area from which the cutter means on the gathering means removes material.

i9. in a continuous mining machine having a main frame .supported by tract-ion means for propelling the mining machine and [a mining mechanism at the front of the mining machine for removing material from the face of a mine `as the mining mechanism is advanced into the thine face, a gathering head including gathering means for collecting the mined material yfrom the `mine floor, means supporting the mining mechanism on the gathering head including Ia top sur-face on the gathering head for seating the mining mechanism -on the gathering head, said mining mechanism being disposed above .the gathering head and being -seated on the gathering head on said top surface, said gathering head including a frame member disposed behind the mining mechanism, means on said frame member and mining mechanism connecting the mining mechanism to the frame member to support the longitudinal `thrust of `the mining mechanism on the gathering head as the mining mechanism is advanced into the mine face, means for supporting the gathering head and the mining mechanism on the front end of the main frame, the last said supporting means including pivot means pivotally connecting the gathering head to the main frame and supporting the gathering head and the mining mechanism on the main frame for transmitting the longitudinal thrust of the mining mechanism from the gathering head to the main frame, means for pivoting the gathering head on said pivot means to adjust ythe gathering head and the mining mechanism relatively lto the main frame, means for' driving the gathering means, said driving means including a drive shaft disposed on the axis of the pivot means.

20. In a continuous mining machine having a main frame supported on traction means for propelling the mining machine and a mining mechanism at the forward end of the mining machine for removing material from the face of a mine as the mining mechanism is advanced into the mine face, a gathering head at the front of the mining machine including gathering means disposed adjacent the floor of the mine for collecting the mined material from the mine floor, means adjustably supporting the mining mechanism on the gathering head including a top surface on the gathering head for seating the mining mechanism on the gathering head, said mining mechanism being disposed above the gathering head and being seated on the gathering head on said top surface, said gathering head including a frame member disposed behind the mining mechanism, means on said frame member and mining mechanism connecting the mining mechanism to the frame member to support the longitudinal thrust of the mining mechanism on the gathering head as the mining mechanism is advanced into the mine face, means for raising the mining mechanism to adjust the position thereof relatively to the gathering means, means for connecting the gathering head and the lmining mechanism to the front end of the main fram-c and supporting the gathering head and the mining mechanism on the main frame for transmitting the longitudinal thrust of the mining mechanism from the gathering head to the main frame, said connecting means including pivot means pivotally connecting the gathering head to the main frame, means for pivoting the gathering head on said pivot means to adjust the gathering head and the mining mechanism relatively to the main frame, means for driving the gathering means, said driving means including a drive shaft dis-posed on the axis of the pivot means.

2l. In a continuous mining machine having a main frame supported by traction means for propelling the mining machine and mining mechanism at the forward end of the main frame for removing material from the face of a mine as the mining mechanism is advanced into the mine face, a discharge conveyor on the main frame for moving material along the lmain frame and discharging material at the rear 0f the mining machine, said conveyor 17 comprising a head shaft at the front end of the main frame, ya gathering head including gathering means for collecting the mined material from the mine oor and delivering it to the conveyor, means for driving the gathering means, said `driving means including a drive Shaft disposed on the axis of the conveyor head shaft, driving connections between the drive shaft and the conveyor head shaft for driving the conveyor head shaft, means supporting the mining mechanism on the gathering head including a top surface on the gathering head for seating the mining mechanism on the .gathering head, said mining mechanism being disposed above the gathering head and lbeing seated on the gathering head on said -top surface, said gathering head including a frame member dis-posed behind the mining mechanism, means on said frame member and mining mechanism connecting the mining mechanism to the frame member to support the longitudinal thrust of the mining mechanism on the gathering head as the mining mechanism is advanced into the mine face, means for connecting the gathering head yand the mining mechanism to the main -frame and supporting the gathering head and the mining mechanism on the main frame for transmitting the longitudinal thrust of the mining mechanism from the gathering head to the main 4fra-me, said connecting means including pivot means pivotally connecting the gathering head to the main frame on the axis of said head shaft, and means for pivoting the gathering head on said pivot means to adjust the gathering head and the mining mechanism relatively to the main frame.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,431,857 Wilcox Oct. 10, 1922 1,501,093 Blower July 15, 1924 1,528,546 Holmes Mar. 3, 1925 1,570,829 Forsyth Ian. 26, 1926 1,726,963 McKinlay Sept. 3, 1929 2,113,733 Kraft Apr. 12, 1938 2,520,040 Levin Aug. 22, 1950 2,705,625 Robbins Apr. 5, 1955 2,715,527 Cartlidge et a1. Aug. 16, 1955 2,719,709 Salmans Oct. 4, 1955 2,722,409 Bergmann INov. 1, 1955 2,737,284 Ball Mar. 6, 1956 2,740,618 Snyder et al. Apr. 3, 1956 2,743,092 Funk Apr. 24, 1956 2,745,649 Robbins May 15, 1956 2,745,652 Kraft May 15, 1956 2,776,126 Anderson Ian. 1, 1957 2,777,681 Ball Jan. 15, 1957 2,788,201 Lindgren et a1. Apr. 9, 1957 2,793,848 Moon May 28, 1957 2,950,907 Anderson Aug. 30, 1960 

1. IN A CONTINUOUS MINING MACHINE HAVING A MAIN FRAME SUPPORTED ON TRACTION MEANS FOR PROPELLING THE MINING MACHINE AND A MINING MECHANISM AT THE FORWARD END OF THE MINING MACHINE FOR REMOVING MATERIAL FROM THE FACE OF A MINE, A GATHERING HEAD AT THE FRONT OF THE MINING MACHINE INCLUDING GATHERING MEANS DISPOSED ADJACENT THE FLOOR OF THE MINE FOR COLLECTING THE MINED MATERIAL FROM THE MINE FLOOR, MEANS ADJUSTABLY SUPPORTING THE MINING MECHANISM ON THE GATHERING HEAD AT THE FRONT OF THE MACHINE AND ABOVE THE GATHERING HEAD AT THE FRONT OF THE MACHINE AND ABOVE THE GATHERING MEANS, MEANS FOR RAISING AND LOWERING THE MINING MECHANISM RELATIVELY TO THE GATHERING HEAD TO ADJUST THE POSITION OF THE MINING MECHANISM, BAFFLE MEANS DISPOSED WITHIN THE GATHERING HEAD, SAID BAFFLE MEANS BEING SECURED TO THE MINING MECHANISM AND RAISED THEREWITH FROM THE GATHERING HEAD TO FILL THE SPACE BETWEEN THE MINING MECHANISM AND THE GATHERING HEAD, MEANS FOR ADJUSTABLY SUPPORTING SAID GATHERING HEAD, MEANS FOR ADJUSTABLY SUPPORTING SAID GATHERING HEAD AND SAID MINING MECHANISM ON THE MAIN FRAME, AND MEANS FOR ADJUSTING THE GATHERING HEAD AND THE MINING MECHANISM RELATIVELY TO THE MAIN FRAME.
 7. IN A CONTINUOUS MINING MACHINE HAVING A MINING MECHANISM FOR REMOVING MATERIAL FROM THE FACE OF A MINE AND MEANS TO PROPEL THE MINING MACHINE, GATHERING MEANS FOR COLLECTING THE MINED MATERIAL COMPRISING A CHAIN AND MEANS FOR DRIVING THE CHAIN THROUGH THE MINED MATERIAL, A COMBINATION GATHERING AND CUTTING FLIGHT ON THE CHAIN, SAID FLIGHT COMPRISING A BODY PORTION LINKED TO THE CHAIN, AND EXTENDING LATERALLY THEREFROM, SAID BODY PORTION BEING FORMED WITH A FRONT FACE FOR SWEEPING THE MINED MATERIAL, A FIRST ROW OF SPACED CUTTER BITS ARRANGED SUBSTANTIALLY IN AN UPRIGHT ROW PROJECTING FROM THE BODY PORTION, A SECOND ROW OF SPACED CUTTER BITS ARRANGED SUBSTANTIALLY IN AN UPRIGHT ROW DISPOSED BEHIND SAID FIRST ROW OF CUTTER BITS AND PROJECTING FROM THE BODY PORTION, THE CUTTER BITS IN SAID SECOND ROW BEING ALTERNATED WITH THE CUTTER BITS IN SAID FIRST ROW IN THE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL OF SAID CHAIN.
 12. IN A CONTINUOUS MINING MACHINE HAVING A MAIN FRAME SUPPORTED ON TRACTION MEANS FOR PROPELLING THE MINING MACHINE AND A MINING MECHANISM AT THE FORWARD END OF THE MINING MACHINE FOR REMOVING MATERIAL FROM THE FACE OF A MINE AS THE MINING MECHANISM IS ADVANCED INTO THE MINE FACE, A GATHERING HEAD INCLUDING GATHERING MEANS FOR COLLECTING THE MINED MATERIAL FROM THE MINE FLOOR, MEANS SUPPORTING THE MINING MECHANISM ON THE GATHERING HEAD INCLUDING A TOP SURFACE ON THE GATHERING HEAD FOR SEATING THE MINING MECHANISM ON THE GATHERING HEAD, SAID MINING MECHANISM BEING DISPOSED ABOVE THE GATHERING HEAD AND BEING SEATED ON THE GATHERING HEAD ON SAID TOP SURFACE, SAID GATHERING HEAD INCLUDING A FRAME MEMBER DISPOSED BEHIND THE MINING MECHANISM, MEANS ON SAID FRAME MEMBER AND MINING MECHANISM CONNECTING THE MINING MECHANISM TO THE FRAME MEMBER TO SUPPORT THE LONGITUDINAL THRUST OF THE MINING MECHANISM ON THE GATHERING HEAD AS THE MINING MECHANISM IS ADVANCED INTO THE MINE FACE, MEANS FOR SUPPORTING SAID GATHERING HEAD AND SAID MINING MECHANISM ON THE MAIN FRAME, THE LAST SAID SUPPORTING MEANS INCLUDING PIVOT MEANS PIVOTALLY CONNECTING THE GATHERING HEAD AND THE MINING MECHANISM TO THE MAIN FRAME AND SUPPORTING THE GATHERING HEAD AND THE MINING MECHANISM ON THE MAIN FRAME FOR TRANSMITTING THE LONGITUDINAL THRUST OF THE MINING MECHANISM FROM THE GATHERING HEAD TO THE MAIN FRAME, AND MEANS FOR PIVOTING THE GATHERING HEAD AND THE MINING MECHANISM ON SAID PIVOT MEANS TO ADJUST THE GATHERING HEAD AND THE MINING MECHANISM RELATIVELY TO THE MAIN FRAME. 